What traits should I use in my Character Sketch essay?

If you're working on a Character Sketch essay and struggling to come up with words that describe your character's personality, here's a list to help you get started. You can look up the meaning of any of these words in your standard dictionary. Be aware that these words will not describe every character you encounter in your reading. You will have to read the book to evaluate what words accurately describe your character.

Loyalty and determination can be catch-all traits that can be conceivably applied to any character. Therefore, avoid using these traits since you want to choose traits that describe the distinctive features of the character. 

Noun           Adjective          

generosity/generous

dedication/dedicated

resourcefulness/resourceful

stubbornness/stubborn

extroversion/extraverted

curiosity/curious

easygoingness/easygoing

patience/patient

intelligence/intelligent

cleverness/clever

friendliness/friendly

bravery/brave

humility/humble

piety/pious

fortitude/fortitudinous

prudence/prudent

ambition/ambitious

frugality/frugal

meticulousness/meticulous 

gentleness/gentle

humorousness/humorous 

introspection/introspective

practicality/practical

forcefulness/forceful

resilience/resilient

strong-mindedness/strong-minded

modesty/modest

asceticism/ascetic

calmness/calm

patriotism/patriotic

self-denial/self-denying/selfless

compassion/compassionate

Note:  Make sure you pick traits that are distinct from each other. For example, being compassionate and charitable are similar traits. You would not to use both of them in a character sketch essay. 

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